Onion Expert

This year Froerer Farms had their longest growing season on record
for asparagus. The Froerer family started growing asparagus in the
1990’s. During the past two decades the usual season had an average
of 40 packing days, but this year Owyhee Produce fresh packed for 57
days. Farm Manager Craig Froerer said, “The crop started earlier
because of warmer weather. The youngest fields are in their fourth
year, and were heavily picked this year. In three years they will be
in full production. Over the next three years [the asparagus’s]
health and maturity will improve.” In other words there is an
upward trend in asparagus which doesn’t show signs of slowing.

“All I equate
[asparagus] to is a lot of hard work,” Packing Manager Robin
Froerer explained. About 100 pickers harvested over 140 acres twice a
day. For the first time ever Froerer Farms had to deal with a
shortage of labor on the packaging side of business. Despite this set
back the Owyhee Produce and IDA Spear merger has flourished. Since
the January 2015 merger Owyhee Produce’s ability to provide
benefits to their joined customers has increased. More employees are
available to take customer calls and questions. Also, there are more
employees to help with the logistics of shipping.

This year Froerer
Farms’ asparagus was enjoyed country wide: from Seattle to Florida.
Some shipments traveled as far as Canada, but some produce always
stays close to home. Local sales make any season better. “We’ve
had great community and local support” Robin said. Because Froerer Farms sells to locals they reduce product waste. Also, Froerer Farms
extensively gives back to the community that supports them.
“We have donated
to every foodbank in the Treasure Valley,” Robin said, Froerer
Farms has also donated to Meals on Wheels and nearby foodbanks in
Star, Payette, Ontario, Nysa, Vale, and Parma. Some of the donated
produce will also go to Portland Steve Morningstar
from Western Idaho Community Action Partnership Incorporated (WICAP),
said [Froerer Farms] has donated the most fresh produce of any local
farm so far this summer. He is hopeful for more donations later. The
asparagus, “helps families eat healthier and is a nice treat,” he
said. WICAP has received asparagus from Froerer Farms since May. In
June alone WICAP compiled 302 food boxes for 283 families. In
addition to the food boxes Froerer Farms’ donations helped provided
fresh produce to 405 adults, 220 children, and 95 seniors. Remarking on the
end of this year’s asparagus season Craig Froerer said, “Production
for the future looks very promising.”

“Our asparagus season is off to the earliest start in 25 years,”
said Robin Froerer with Owyhee Produce. “We’ve experienced unseasonably
warm weather and already started picking in March,” Froerer added. In an
average season, picking starts between April 15 and April 20. “Although
we’ve been picking for a few weeks, volumes are still light. This is
mainly caused by last week’s cold spell when we lost some of our
production to frost.” As the weather warms up again, volumes will become
heavier.

High prices

“Prices
are fantastic for the growers,” commented Froerer. At the moment, they
are about $50 - $56 for a 28 lb. box. The same time last year, prices
were not bad, but came out quite a bit lower with $46 - $48 per 28 lb.
box. “Once more volume comes on, prices will start to come down. We are
in the same production window as Washington State and as soon as they
come into full production, we will notice a drop in prices,” said
Froerer. Asparagus is a labour-intensive crop and getting it picked is
an issue. “It is a 12-20 year crop and because of its labor intensity
many growers throughout the US are not replacing it and have taken it
out in recent years.“

Owyhee
Produce ships its asparagus all over the United States to mainstream
retailers like Albertson’s, Winco’s and Walmart. Additionally, the
company also is a supplier to the foodservice industry.